Why you can't get a Band Booking

Band Booking trouble? You're not alone.

The just-published Gig-getter survey of  original and cover bands and musicians across 15 countries  gave the four most common  band booking problems as:

1."Knowing the right contacts"

I have to say, this one's always seemed a bit of a cop-out to me. Finding out who to talk to to pitch and develop your band is only ever a matter of a little research. To then make it work you just need the right words in the right order and commitment to applying yourselves

2. "Getting into NEW venues"

Finding "new" venues (i.e. ones you haven't yet played), should be an ongoing process. Everyone in the band keeps their eyes and ears open. Keep adding to your list of potential venues you can pitch. Oh, and if you make sure you're getting asked back everywhere you play you'll actually need less "new" venues over time anyhow..

3. "Finding suitable venues for our genre of music"

See points 1 and 2 above. A little research (boring though it may seem) , can go a long way

4. "Finding venues that pay - well"
This is where you have to give the venue Reasons why you're worth what you're trying to charge. It comes back to:

- Establishing your USP over other bands pitching for the same venue

- Building a fan base and so crowd numbers for the venue

- Being able to put on a live show people will remember and talk about (and which in turn helps further develop your fan base)